“This is not something we can give up on easily. We are talking about
our country’s chances of securing a just and lasting peace and putting
an end to the armed conflict. These are aspirations that all
peace-loving Filipinos share, and we should persevere in the peace
talks. If there are problems, we have to find solutions to them; if
there are obstacles, then they should be overcome.”
By
INA ALLECO R. SILVERIO
Bulatlat.com
Solve problems, overcome obstacles.
National Democratic Front of the Philippines (NDFP) chief negotiator
Luis Jalandoni is determined to exhaust all diplomatic and principled
means to ensure that the peace talks with the Government of the
Philippines (GPH) pushes through. Even as others might find it
understandable to throw in the towel given how the GPH panel —
specifically negotiator Alex Padilla — has been rudely behaving and
speaking, Jalandoni and the rest of the NDFP’s peace panel including
Coni Ledesma and Fidel V. Agcaoili remain steadfast in pushing for the
talks.
In a forum sponsored by Pilgrims for Peace, an ecumenical formation
of religious groups and lay associations, Jalandoni and Ledesma gave the
background story on the not-so-rosy developments in the negotiations
with the Aquino administration’s so-called peace makers.
Jalandoni answered at length what exactly is going wrong in the talks
— the GPH’s refusal to uphold the Joint Agreement on Safety and
Immunity Guarantee (JASIG) and honor its word to release the NDFP
consultants in the custody of its armed forces — but not once did he
betray frustration.
“This is not something we can give up on easily. We are talking about
our country’s chances of securing a just and lasting peace and putting
an end to the armed conflict. These are aspirations that all
peace-loving Filipinos share, and we should persevere in the peace
talks. If there are problems, we have to find solutions to them; if
there are obstacles, then they should be overcome,” he said.
In the last month, the NDFP and the GPH have been exchanging sharp words
over the media. The fiery exchange was triggered by loose statements
made by GPH’s Padilla and Presidential Peace Adviser Teresita Quintos
Deles saying that (1) the Jasig is no longer operable; and (2) the GPH
was under no obligation to release any political prisoner, much less
captured NDFP consultants.
National Democratic Front of the Philippines’ (NDFP) peace panelists
Luis Jalandoni and Coni Ledesma declares the NDFP’s continuing
commitment to the peace talks. Jalandoni said the NDFP will never give
up efforts to forge a principled peace agreement with the Government of
the Philippines (GPH) because “the Filipino people desire an end to the
conflict and want peace based on justice” in the country. (Photo by Ina Alleco R. Silverio / bulatlat.com)
“The NDFP always sits at the negotiating table with a readiness to
talk peace and a preparedness to uphold previously signed agreements
with the GPH. These are serious matters which we all take pains to
handle correctly and with sincerity,” he said. He seemed unable to hold
back a measure of disappointment when he explained how the GPH is
deliberately failing to carry its end in implementing previously forged
agreements on the release of consultants. Even then, however, he is
careful with his words.
“It is expected that both panels prove sincerity by carrying out the
agreements. Releasing the NDFP’s consultants is a good-will building
measure, it is true; but at the same time, it’s also a promise
previously made by the GPH when we began negotiations earlier this year
in February. As for the Jasig, neither the GPH panel nor the GPH itself
can simply declare it’s inoperable — it will only lose effect if and
when the head of the NDFP and the GPH agree to declare it so by one
party sending a letter to the other,” he said.
In any case, human rights groups assert that even now the Aquino
government continues to refuse to address the issues of torture,
enforced disappearances and extra-judicial killings of Jasig-protected
individuals, among them Leo Velasco, Prudencio Calubid, Rogelio
Calubad, Sotero Llamas ; as well as hundreds of others without Jasig
protection.....
MORE
Source: Bulatlat.com
URL:
http://bulatlat.com/main/2011/09/08/ndfp-chief-negotiator-luis-jalandoni-ndfp-remains-committed-to-peace-talks/